Best Outdoor Activity: Hiking or Something Else?

May, 17 2025

It's wild how a simple activity like stepping outside can flip your whole mood. Fresh air, trees, and some movement, and suddenly you're recharged. But when it comes to outdoor fun, people argue all the time about which is the best. Spoiler: there isn’t just one right answer.

Everybody talks up hiking – and for good reason. You don’t need fancy gear, just comfortable shoes and maybe a snack. There are hiking trails in almost every city; even parks or greenways count. A Stanford study found that a walk in nature can lower stress and boost your mood in less than an hour. That’s not hype, that’s just your brain on trees.

But think wider. Some folks feel alive biking up forest paths, others swear by paddleboarding at sunrise. Ever run a simple relay with friends outside? The real trick is figuring out what lights you up.

• What Makes an Outdoor Activity the Best?
• Hiking: The Classic Winner?
• Alternatives Worth Trying
• How to Pick Your Perfect Outdoor Activity

What Makes an Outdoor Activity the Best?

Picking the “best” outdoor activity isn’t about following the crowd—it’s about matching the activity to what fires you up and makes you want to do it again. The big reason people love spending time outside is because it just feels good, both mentally and physically. A study from the University of Exeter found that two hours a week in nature is enough to boost health and happiness. Turns out, it doesn’t have to be one single marathon hike—it can be a few short walks, working in the yard, or tossing a frisbee at the park.

But let’s make it practical. The best outdoor activity usually fits these things:

• Outdoor activities are easy to access. If you need gear that costs more than rent or have to drive five hours, odds are you’ll skip it after a week.
• It gets you moving. This doesn’t mean sweating buckets—just enough to make your body and brain perk up. Even light movement releases endorphins and helps improve focus.
• Fun with friends or solo. Some activities work well as groups—think beach volleyball or basketball. Others, like birdwatching or fishing, can be relaxing alone.
• Doesn’t wreck your body. The best thing is sustainable. If your knees feel wrecked after every run or scramble, you’ll dread going out. Find something your body handles well.

Try asking yourself a few questions: Do I want to socialize or do my own thing? Am I looking for a rush, or do I want something chill? How much time do I really have? These answers narrow down the perfect fit.

Don't forget, what feels epic to someone else may be boring to you—and that's cool. The main goal? You keep coming back to it because it adds value to your life. That’s how you find the real winner.

Hiking: The Classic Winner?

If you ask ten people to name the best outdoor activity, at least half will say hiking. It doesn’t need expensive gear, expert training, or a ton of planning. Parks and trails are usually free to enter and open year-round. All you really need are decent shoes, a bottle of water, and maybe a buddy—or your dog.

Hiking helps people of different ages and abilities stay active. Walking up even a slight slope burns more calories than strolling on flat ground, but you can pick your challenge. Some folks crush 15-mile mountains for a workout while others take shorter, scenic loops just to clear their mind or snap a good photo.

Plenty of research backs up hiking’s benefits. Here’s some real data that makes the case:

Benefit	Evidence
Stress Reduction	Stanford found 90-min nature walks lowered stress and rumination (2015 study).
Cardio Health	CDC says brisk hiking can lower risk of heart disease and blood pressure.
Joint Protection	Regular trail hiking helps keep joints moving, more than pavement walks.
Calorie Burn	One hour of moderate hiking burns around 430 calories (Harvard Medical School).

Besides health, hiking connects you to your surroundings. You start noticing birds, wildflowers, or even the way the air smells after rain. Neighborhood trails, local parks, or national forests—all count.

• Look up trail reviews online before heading out. Apps like AllTrails or Google Maps usually have up-to-date info.
• Pace yourself—especially on unfamiliar trails. Short half-hour hikes can be just as rewarding as longer ones.
• Trail etiquette matters. Stick to marked paths to avoid trampling plants and keep dogs on leashes where required.
• Hydration really is key. Even in cooler weather, bring water.

Hiking’s real charm? You can do it almost anywhere, solo or with friends. And every outing feels just a little different from the last.

Alternatives Worth Trying

Not everyone is excited about hiking, and that's totally fine. There are a ton of outdoor activities out there that don’t involve steep climbs or muddy boots. Sometimes, mixing it up leads to new favorites.

Cycling is a big one. City bike paths, mountain trails, or just cruising neighborhoods—all you need is a decent bike and a helmet. Riding a bike can burn between 400 to 1,000 calories per hour, depending on effort and terrain. That’s serious impact for your health without hitting the gym.

Water sports draw a different crowd—and for good reason. Kayaking, for example, isn’t just for hardcore athletes. Rental shops now pop up at most lakes and rivers, making it easy to just show up and try. Plus, an hour of paddling burns about 350 calories. If you like more balance and less arm work, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is another big hit. It targets your core stability in a fun way.

If staying dry is a must, disc golf is surprisingly addictive. More than 9,000 public courses exist across the U.S., according to the Professional Disc Golf Association. All you need is a frisbee and an open field or a public course. You’ll walk plenty but won’t even think about it.

Group sports make getting outside social and competitive. Soccer, ultimate frisbee, or even a game of kickball in your local park can get your heart rate up without feeling like a chore. You’ll find pick-up games in most towns—just check Facebook or Meetup groups to join in.

For a quick look at some popular options and what they burn calorie-wise, here’s a handy table:

Activity	Calories Burned (Per Hour, Avg. Adult)
Mountain Biking	600-1000
Kayaking	300-400
Disc Golf	200-350
Ultimate Frisbee	500-700

Try a few of these out. You won’t know until you give it a shot—the outdoor activities world is bigger than you might think, and there’s something for every vibe and fitness level.

How to Pick Your Perfect Outdoor Activity

Choosing the right outdoor activity mostly comes down to what actually works for your body, interests, and schedule. You don’t have to be an athlete or even like exercise to get hooked on nature. Here’s a focused approach to help you figure out your ideal fit.

• Know your fitness level: If you’re just starting out, don’t pick something that’ll wipe you out on day one. For example, hiking and walking suit beginners since you can go at your own pace and stop anytime. More intense stuff like mountain biking or rock climbing asks for better balance and strength.
• Check what’s local: You don’t need a mountain unless you live near one. Parks, rivers, even your own backyard count. The National Park Service says over 80% of U.S. residents live within an hour of a public park or trail, so odds are good you’ve got options close by.
• Think about gear: Some activities (like kayaking) need a bit of investment, while others (like walking) just need shoes. Borrow or rent equipment to try something new without spending big.
• Follow what excites you: This might sound basic, but you’re more likely to stick with what you look forward to. If you’d rather explore on two wheels than two feet, go with that.
• Consider company: Some activities are more fun with friends or family. Lately, over 50% of outdoor enthusiasts in the U.S. say they prefer group adventures (according to the Outdoor Foundation). If you want social time, pick team sports, group hikes, or even volunteer clean-ups.

Here’s a quick breakdown of a few outdoor activities, how tough they are, and what gear you’ll need:

Activity	Skill Needed	Gear Required
Hiking	Low to Moderate	Shoes, water, snack
Biking	Moderate	Bike, helmet
Kayaking	Moderate	Kayak, paddle, life jacket
Frisbee/Disc Golf	Low	Disc, open area
Trail Running	High	Trail shoes, water

The main thing is to try different activities and pay attention to what feels fun and doable. Even pros started as beginners, usually just messing around and finding what stuck. Watch local events or join a casual meetup—it lowers the stress and ups your shot at finding something you want to do again.